The R&D team over at SD3D has given us invaluable advice regarding numerous 3D printers and how well--or how disastrously--their heated build plates perform. Using thermal video to look at actual gradients--or lack of--the SD3D team was able to see which 3D printers produced undesirable hotspots and gradients in a variety of places which would have to be avoided. All in all, they seemed happiest with the LulzBot Taz 5, as well as their own 3DGenie, which they were able to improve after their studies, building it up with their gained wisdom--and allowing for a great product. Check out more details on their findings in the full story: http://3dprint.com/90458/sd3d-heated-build-plates/